News Archive
21 Nov 2011
Healthier Alternatives
Market researcher Mintel International recently asked a sample of consumers who cook at least half of their meals at home and who use store-bought dressings and marinades if purity claims were important to them. One in four of these consumers cited claims such as natural or no additives or preservatives as important. Rising consumer interest has prompted manufacturers to create healthful dressings and marinades that still pack a flavor punch. Here are some health-conscious trends: 1. Creative use of natural, better-for-you sweeteners such as veggie purees, agave, honey and brown sugar, instead of corn syrup or other refined sugars. Folks are looking for flavor without spending a lot of money. No-sugar added products deliver big on flavor, says Jonathon Leal, owner of Vino de Milo in Athens, Ohio. Leal achieves sweetness in his dressings through beet and currant purees, which also gives the products beautiful color. Other companies using natural sweeteners include The Brooklyn Salsa Company in Tokyo the Son (agave); Cucina Antica Table Fresh Caesar (organic honey); Guy Fieri Carolina #6 Mop & Slop BBQ Sauce and Marinade (brown sugar); and Bourbon Barrel Foods Kentuckyaki, a teriyaki marinade (sorghum, an iron and potassium rich syrup extracted from sorghum cane.) 2. No oil for a more weight-conscious pour. Some companies are lightening up their dressings by eliminating oil but still delivering on flavor. Tangy Vietnamese Oil-Free Vinaigrette from Snapdragon Foods was a 2011 sofi Awards Finalist in the Outstanding Salad Dressing category. The dressing blends rice vinegar, pure cane sugar and ripe chili peppers with other Asian flavors to create a more Westernized and healthier version of nuoc cham, a Vietnamese condiment. Rising Sun Farms in Phoenix, Ore., has a line of four oil-free balsamic salad dressings, all of which can be used as marinades for fish, poultry, meat or even drizzled on cheese. The dressings are made with white balsamic vinegar and white grape juice concentrate, are cholesterol- and trans fat-free, and are produced in a gluten-free facility. Popular flavors include Lemon Thyme and Pomegranate. Source: specialtyfood.com